Julie Shankly, BACP

Julie Shankly has worked in counselling for 21 years and holds registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She focuses on everyday problems that can feel overwhelming, such as stress, anxiety, depression and relationship difficulties. Julie aims to meet people where they are and to be straightforward and respectful from the first conversation.

She adapts sessions to each person’s needs and works with issues including intimacy, family conflict, grief, trauma and abuse. Julie also supports people dealing with sleep and eating concerns, career strain, compassion fatigue and life transitions. Her approach is practical and down-to-earth, helping people name problems and try small changes.

Julie uses methods from client-centred work, cognitive behavioural ideas and solution-focused conversation to shape sessions. She also brings in psychodynamic thinking and hypnotherapy where these fit a person’s goals. The emphasis is on clear discussion, workable steps and exploring how patterns developed over time.

People can expect a calm, respectful atmosphere. Julie will listen first and then suggest ways to move forward together. She encourages clients to set manageable goals and to review progress as therapy continues.

Julie works with a wide range of concerns including ADHD, bipolar, body image and issues tied to chronic illness or caregiving. She also supports LGBT people and those coping with abandonment, communication problems or dissociation. If you are ready to begin, she asks you to take the first step and start the process.

Approaches that shape online sessions

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and responding to a person’s experience. The therapist offers non-judgemental attention and helps clients find their own solutions, which can suit people wanting time to talk things through. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and actions and uses practical exercises to break unhelpful cycles; it is often useful for anxiety, low mood and problem-solving.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Julie will discuss preferences, goals and how you respond to different ways of working. Decisions about methods are collaborative and reviewed as you go.

Please check which session formats are currently offered before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also makes it possible to see a therapist from another location, which can help when specialist experience or a better match is important.